Manchester United's 'identity has been broken' - Mike Phelan

Former Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan feels part of the club's "identity has been broken" with Danny Welbeck's departure to Arsenal.

The England striker, 23, came through United's famed youth system but joined the Gunners for £16m on deadline day.

United brought striker Radamel Falcao on a £6m loan deal from Monaco, their sixth signing of the transfer window.

"They have probably lost the way of Manchester United a little bit," Phelan told BBC Sport.

"Now, rather than produce, it may be the case where they are buying in.

"Someone like a Danny Welbeck has been part of United's identity and that has been broken.

"What will happen in the future now, nobody knows but that thread has been broken now."

For many years United had a strong core of home-grown youth players under former boss Ferguson, with the renowned 'Class of 92' - which included Beckham, Paul Scholes and Phil and Gary Neville - coming through the ranks.

As well as Colombian Falcao, new boss Van Gaal has also brought in Angel Di Maria for a British-record £59.7m, midfielder Ander Herrera for £29m from Athletic Bilbao, left-back Luke Shaw in a £27m from Southampton, the £16m Marcos Rojo from Sporting Lisbon and midfielder Daley Blind from Ajax for £13.8m.